DICKO ENJOYING PRE-SEASON CHANCES

French winger relishing opportunities during ‘tough but enjoyable’ pre-season.

It’s vital to give my best when the chances come and I hope that these opportunities will continue."

Nouha Dicko

Ahead of tonight’s fifth pre-season friendly against Morecambe at the Globe Arena, Nouha Dicko spoke about his preparations throughout the summer and said that he’s been grateful for the opportunities given to him by manager Owen Coyle.

Dicko said:

“For me and the other young players such as Adam (Buxton) and Lee (Nicholls) each game has been really important because we’ve been given the chance to show how well we can play.

“It’s vital to give my best when the chances come and I hope that these opportunities will continue.”

So far Dicko has featured in all four pre-season games as a substitute in each, accumulating 140 minutes and scoring his first goal in blue and white against Dayton Dutch Lions during the US Tour.

The 21-year-old said it was a big moment for him personally:

“Even though it was only a pre-season friendly I was very proud and happy to score my first goal for the club and hopefully more can follow.

“As a forward it’s always important to score goals and getting my first Wigan Athletic goal was an amazing feeling.”

Dicko was in action as a 60th minute substitute on Monday against Atromitos in difficult, humid conditions but he ensured that the work done on the training ground and in America has prepared the team well.

“We worked really hard on Monday night in quite tough conditions but it helped with building up our fitness.

“I think as a team we showed how well we can play and with confidence too.

“We’re getting stronger as a group and the humid conditions we’ve been facing are really helping us to gain our fitness in what has been a tough but enjoyable pre-season.”

With a smile, Dicko added that not only are things working on the pitch but off the pitch as well:

“There is a good balance between everyone on the pitch and the atmosphere in the changing rooms is very good.

“I think the way we’ve all been getting on is showing on the pitch as well and the manager has been a big part of making it a great atmosphere around the team.

“It’s also been a great feeling that we’ve been winning our pre-season games and hopefully our run will be extended tonight against Morecambe.”

Latics’ next fixture is tonight against Morecambe at the Globe Arena at 7.45pm, you can read our match preview by [clicking here].